# Gamified Health Video games evolve to offer support for mental and physical ailments. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Feb 13, 2014, updated Feb 19, 2014 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/gameified-health ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Gamified Health trend? **Gamified Health:** As consumers continue to rely further on technology for simple, everyday tasks, developers and healthcare professionals are augmenting treatments with video games that both stimulate and heal. Speaking to a consumer base that responds most actively to dual-purpose tasks, the concept of gameified health is stimulating players into being more aware of bodily health, while at the same time satisfying a want for an interactive, in-home experience. This rise in health-conscious, cost-effective activities supports consumers with limited time and/or resources to effectively fill a gap created by the growing divide between social classes. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 6, 2013 to Sep 1, 2015 - Published: Feb 13, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Gamified Health trend ### Gamification of Health Developers and healthcare professionals are augmenting treatments with video games that both stimulate and heal ### Health Conscious Cost Effective Activities Rise in health-conscious, cost-effective activities supports consumers with limited time and/or resources to effectively fill a gap created by the growing divide between social classes ### Gamification of Therapy Gamifying therapy to make it more engaging and effective, such as the Nevermind game that helps individuals with deep-seated fears using biofeedback technology ## What the Gamified Health trend means for industry ### For Gaming The use of video games in health and therapy presents opportunities for gaming companies to enter into the healthcare industry ### For Healthcare Augmenting traditional healthcare methods with technology and gamification can help make treatments more engaging and accessible to a wider range of people ### For Physical Therapy Developing devices and technologies that gamify physical therapy can make it more engaging and encourage individuals to participate in their own care ## Trend signals for Gamified Health Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 30%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 60% - Activity: 30% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Gamified Health trend 5 featured examples from Dec 6, 2013 to Sep 1, 2015. - [Purposely Lackluster Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waiting-in-line-3d): 'Waiting In Line 3D' Encourages You to Practice Your Patience (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity to explore new avenues of game design that defy conventional trends and expectations. - [Fear-Overcoming Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nevermind-video-game): The Nevermind Video Game by Erin Reynolds Monitors Heart Rate (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Developing innovative video games that leverage psychological motivations and incorporate real-time biometric monitoring. - [Youth Mental Health Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youth-mental-health): The BoosterBuddy App Uses Elements of Video Game Design (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for developers to create innovative mobile apps that specifically target youth mental health. - [Gender-Swapping Virtual Experiments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gender-swap): The Oculus Rift Answers the Age Old Question of Gender (Category: Naughty) Implication: The virtual reality industry can explore new applications like gender-swapping simulations, expanding the potential of VR experiences. - [Gamified Breathing Contraptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gamified-breathing): The Jordi-Stick Encourages Children Suffering From Cystic Fibrosis (Category: Tech) Implication: Gamified health devices could be a new category for the healthtech industry, offering an innovative and playful approach to health treatments. ## Recent trend clusters - [Protocol Delegation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/clinical-action-software) (Tech) - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Modular CMF Bluetooth Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-cmf-bluetooth-speakers) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)